Vera M. Welsh School My name is ______

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Vera M. Welsh School

My name is _____________ Proudly sponsored by the Snack Shack Fund

Meet the Teacher September 1, 2017

First Day of School September 5, 2017

School Photos September 11, 2017

IPP day September 22, 2017

Giving Week October 2-5, 2017

Farm Safety October 2-5, 2017

Halloween October 31, 2017

Book Fair October 30-November 3, 2017

Photo Retake November 2, 2017

Remembrance Day Assembly November 9, 2017

Term 1 Parent Teacher Interviews November 21 & 22, 2017

Christmas Concert—Preschool & Kindergarten December 18, 2017

Christmas Concert—Grade 1 December 19, 2017

Christmas Concert—Grades 2 & 3 December 20, 2017

Tropical Day January 26, 2018

Science In Motion January 31 & February 1, 2018

Valentine’s /Red and Pink Day February 14, 2018

100th Day of School February 20, 2018

Music Festival Entry Deadline February 23, 2018

Book Fair February 26—March 2, 2018

St. Patrick’s Day/Green Day March 16, 2018

Term 2 Parent Teacher Interviews March 20 & 21, 2018

Just Read Celebration (Loonie Carnival) March 29, 2018

Music Festival April 10—26, 2018

Grandparents and Special Person Read and Tea May 1, 2018

Music Festival Final Concerts May 2-3, 2018

Sports Fun Day June 8, 2018

National Aboriginal Day June 21, 2018

Term 1 September 5, 2017 - November 14, 2017

Term 2 November 15, 2017 - March 13, 2018

Term 3 March 14, 2018 – June 28, 2018

Vera M. Welsh Special Events

Vera M. Welsh Term Dates

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VERA M. WELSH ELEMENTARY VALUES:

RESPECT

COLLABORATION

LIFELONG LEARNING

WELL-BEING

Daily Schedules The daily schedule for students will change on a 5-day rotating basis. The first day of school will be DAY ONE with subse-quent school days changing according to the order of the five day rotation.

Dismissal Procedures 3:25 Warning Bell 3:28 Dismissal of first round bus students Cross walk supervisors will be available to assist students and parents at both the South and North crosswalks. 3:33 Dismissal of second round students. 3:35 Students who are picked up by parents or designated

persons will meet in the foyer area across from the gym. Parents or designated persons are required to come into

the school, meet the students and escort them across through the parking lot, using the north or south crosswalk to their vehicle.

If parents are asking other adults to pick up their child(ren),

please contact the school. They will be required to sign the Student Sign Out Book in the Office or Foyer. All children will be picked up in the Gym.

After 3:10 it is school policy to not call children out of class for

pickup in order to reduce disruptions to teaching time. If you need to pick your child up early, please do so before this time.

Parents are asked to notify the school by written note

if their child(ren) will not be going home in their usual manner or contact the school office by 2:30 p.m.

Please assist us in promoting and modeling safety by using

the crosswalks during BUS loading and unloading times.

Custody The school must be informed if there is a question of a child’s custody. Please provide the legal documents.

Bicycles at School All bicycles are to be locked in the bicycle racks provided. There is no bike riding on the school grounds between 8:30 am and 3:30 pm. By law hel-mets are mandatory.

Bus Conduct

The bus operators have the responsibility for the safety and conduct of the students while they are on the bus. The principal will either temporarily or permanently suspend students who deliberately and habitually fail to comply with the rules for riding the bus. Please review the bus rules and regulations provided by your bus driver. Parents are to notify the bus driver by a written note or phone call if their child will not be boarding the bus on the evening run.

Appeal Process If you have concerns about your child’s program or progress, please contact his/her teacher. If you require additional infor-mation please contact the school administrators. Northern Lights School Division #69 has a general student appeal policy in place. Information on or a copy of this policy is available from the school principal or at divisional office. This policy can also be accessed on the Northern Lights School Division web page: http://www.nlsd.ab.ca NLSD Policy Manual I-Students IFA-Student Appeals

Basic Program The basic program at Vera M. Welsh School provides 320 minutes of instruction each day. Alberta Learning recommends the following allocations as guidelines:

provide instruction to meet the needs of their stu-dents). A strong emphasis is placed on literacy.

Required:

Minimum Weekly Minutes Grade 1 & 2

Minimum Weekly Minutes Grade 3

Language Learning

30% 25%

Math 15% 15%

Science 10% 15%

Social Studies 10% 10%

Music/Art 10% 10%

P.E. & Health 10% 10%

Undefined 15% 15%

TOTAL 1600 min. 1600 min.

Curriculum Handbook for Parents The “Curriculum Handbook for Parents” series is your guide to each stage of learning. It is a clear outline of what we expect our students to learn at each stage of their education. Hand-books are available for each grade level. The can be accessed through the Internet at http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/mychildslearning/ If you do not have access to this source, cop-ies of the handbook are available at the school.

http://www.nlsd.ab.ca/

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Vera M. Welsh Code of Conduct

Achieving and maintaining this positive climate is the responsibility of everyone involved in education in Vera M. Welsh School. Our code of Conduct reflects our ongoing work in School Development where we actively work towards the develop-ment of social responsibility in all our students. With a school population over 320 students, this may be the first time that a child is learning to play or has played with so many students the same age as them. We will focus on intervention and teaching students to identify the problem and help formulate more acceptable alternatives for the future. Student Rights and Responsibilities 1. I have a right to learn in this school.

It is my responsibility to listen to instructions, work quietly and raise my hand if I have a question or concern. 2. I have a right to hear and be heard. It is my responsibility not to talk, shout or make loud noises when others are speaking. 3. I have the right to be respected in this school. It is my responsibility not to tease or bother other people, or to hurt their feelings. 4. I have a right to be safe in this school. It is my responsibility not to threaten, kick, punch or physically harm anyone else. 5. I have a right to privacy and my own personal space. It is my responsibility to respect the personal property of others, and to accept their right to privacy.

In order for all children to learn to the best of their ability and play with respect and dignity, Vera M. Welsh strives to have a safe, respectful, and non-threatening environment both in the classroom and on the playground. All students and staff have the right to work in classrooms free of disruptions and to enjoy playtimes free of aggressive behaviours.

In a nutshell, our Code of Conduct is based on respect for self, others, and property. Students are expected to apply the Code of Conduct principles at the bus stop, on the bus, during the school day, and during extra-curricular activi-ties.

Principles of the school’s Code of Conduct as well as some examples of each are listed. Parents/Guardians are asked to review these with their children. In school we use a model of “looks like”, “sounds like”, “feels like”, as we work with students on social and behavioural expectations. Research tells us that modelling and practice are key steps in help-ing students learn new skills and to regulate their own behaviour. Teaching, modelling, and reteaching (as necessary) the principles at school and at home help students make good social decisions.

Principle 1: Students are expected to show respect for self and others.

Examples:

1. Refrain from rough play (pushing, shoving, hitting, wrestling, kicking, pulling on clothing, using hands or feet to hurt others, etc.)

2. Refrain from throwing objects. Leave stones, rocks, sticks, snowballs, etc. on the ground.

3. Refrain from bringing real or toy weapons onto school property.

4. Refrain from using bullying behaviour or verbal abuse.

5. Students are expected to respect the learning of others.

6. Students are expected to take responsibility for their own in-class and homework learning activities.

7. Students are expected to behave respectfully towards each other and to staff.

Principle 2: Students are expected to respect school property and the property of others. Examples:

1. Students are to play within the boundaries of designated play areas. 2. Students are expected to take care of their own property and respect the property of others. 3. Students are allowed on playground equipment only during supervised times. 4. Students are expected to respond to the bell: D.E.A.L. = Drop Everything And Leave for class.

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Principle 3: Students will learn what is expected of them in terms of appropriate behaviours.

1. Staff will teach and model the terms Vera M. Welsh’s Code of Conduct. 2. Assemblies will be held. 3. Activities and programs which support and complement the Code of Conduct will be used.

Principle 4: Consequences including re-teaching will be set up for students who infringe upon the rights of others and/or do not follow principles 1 and 2 of the Code of Conduct. Consequences – Teachable Moments Minor Incidents

1. Student taken out of the situation. (Playtime or class time) – Supervising teacher discusses appropriate ac-tion & reviews. Use your words, walk away, tell an adult.

2. Student’s name sent to the office. Homeroom teacher notified by the end of the day. 3. Office personnel will be involved for any serious incident. 4. Principles and the specific incident are reviewed with the student by the teacher. Re-teaching takes place. 5. Student will be introduced to the Code of Behaviour sheet. Office personnel will re-teach the behaviour and

the student will complete the sheet using “I” statements. 10 minutes of playtime is used to do this. The sheet stays in the office.

Subsequent Incidents: Follow 1-5 Incidents (above), and

6. The student completes a Think Sheet during 10 minutes of playtime. The sheet is to be taken home, signed by parents, and returned the next day.

In all situations, re-teaching/counselling will take place with the student on responsible behaviour. *Steps For When A Student Is Out Of Control

1. The student will have an in-school time out. Depending on the student’s age, the time out will equal the age after the student has calmed down.

2. Parents will be notified of the in-school time out. 3. If school personnel are unable to get the child to a point where he/she can return to class, parents/guardians

will be called for assistance and/or to take the child home. 4. Students, parents, teachers, and other involved personnel, will participate in a conference to discuss and

devise a plan for dealing with serious or habitual inappropriate behaviours. Parental Responsibility Parents/Guardians are responsible for supporting Vera M. Welsh’s Code of Conduct.

1. Parents/Guardians play a vital role in developing student behaviour and conduct. It is our expectation that Parents/Guardians:

-Be aware of the school’s code of conduct; -Work with the school to resolve student behaviour issues when they affect their child; -Cooperate with the school’s recommended course of action for the student; -Model appropriate behaviour and language for their child.

2. All parents/guardians are reminded that they are subject to the school’s Code of Conduct, as are all students

and staff.

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Field Trips Field trips are used as a means of enhancing the pro-gram offered in the classroom. Prior to any field trip, parents are notified by written notices of the details and risk assessment of the planned field trip. Before stu-dents are allowed to take part in a field trip, the teacher must have written consent from the parent. To facilitate this, the notice that goes home prior to the trip includes a consent form to be signed by the parent or guardian and returned to the school.

Footwear To maintain a high standard of cleanliness in the school, all students are required to have a second pair of running shoes that they can change into each time they enter the school. These running shoes must have non-marking soles. Running shoes are also a required part of the Physical Education program. Shoes are to be worn at all times while in the building.

Emergency School Closure School buildings in the Northern Lights School Division # 69 will be “closed only when the facility or conditions within it are a threat to the health and/or safety of staff and students”. Such conditions as gas fumes, lack of sewer and water ser-vices, or a major health problem may result in the closing of a school until the condition is rectified. Parents will be contact-ed notifying them if the school needs to be closed during the school day. If the Wind Chill exceeds –45 degrees Celsius, or the outside air temperature as measured at Lac La Biche Airport is at or exceeds –40 degrees Celsius classes will be cancelled. The primary decision-maker for children attending school by bus or other method of transport must be the parent; that is, when inclement weather conditions exist and classes or bus runs have not been cancelled, parents must use their own discretion in sending their child(ren) to school. Bus runs may be cancelled when weather conditions make driving hazardous. Blizzard conditions, intense fog, icy roads, or a combination of these factors may lead to the cancellation of bus runs. Cancellation of bus runs for these conditions does not result in the cancellation of classes and schools remain open for those students able to attend. Decision on cancellation of classes and bus runs will be announced on the NLSD website www.nlsd.ab.ca under Transportation and the following radio stations: Big Dog 103.5FM ( Lac La Biche – 780-623-3744, Fax- 780-623-3740) CHLA 1310 AM (Bonnyville-826-2979, St. Paul – 645-4425, Fax 645-5555) CJCM 1340AM (Tri-Town- 594-2459, Fax- 594-3001) CHED 630 AM (Edmonton – 466-6397, Fax – 468-6739) If no announcement of cancellation is made, schools and buses will operate as usual. Individual bus drivers/contractors are given the authority to cancel their route or routes when local conditions warrant. In such situations, it is the responsibility of the driver/contractor to advise the parents involved. To ensure your child(ren)’s safety, it is imperative that all students utiliz-ing the division’s transportation system be properly dressed (including adequate footwear) in the event of mechanical breakdown or an accident occurring. The freezing of exposed skin in a relatively short period of time is not an uncommon occurrence when temperatures drop below –30 degrees Celsius.

Head Lice A head louse is a harmless pest, which is more of a an annoyance than a source of disease. Head lice are trans-mitted through close personal contact with another infested person either through sharing combs, brushes, hats and coats. To help stop the spread of head lice, Vera M. Welsh School will use the following procedure: When a student is discovered to have head lice, the parents will be contacted and asked to begin treatment. A trained parent volunteer or an available staff member will do a head check that same day on all students who are classmates of the student with the infestation. The child may return to school after a medicated shampoo has been used to kill the lice. To prevent further infestation, parents are asked to remove all nits from child’s hair. On the return of the student, a follow-up check by a trained staff member will be done. Trained volunteers as required will check all the children in the school for head lice. Parents must take direct responsibility to ensure their child’s head is free from infestation. You are encouraged to be very diligent in checking your child’s head and contacting the school if a discovery is made.

Please contact the school if you have any questions, concerns, or if you object to the above procedure.

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Illness or Injury When a child becomes ill or injured at school every attempt will be made to contact the parent or the emergency con-tact person on the student’s registration form. In no case will an ill or injured student be sent home if unaccompanied by a parent or guardian. A staff member will administer the essential first aide and when necessary the student will be taken to the hospital. It is very important the changes in home phone numbers or emergency numbers be reported immediately to the school office.

Hours of Operation

Class times and recess times may be adjusted by a few minutes as necessary once the school year begins. Super-vision of the students begins at 8:20 am. Please assist the school by having your child(ren) arrive after 8:20 in the morning . For the safety of all children, please escort your child into the school using the north or south crosswalk. Doors will be locked until 8:20 am. Please ensure that your child(ren) will arrive at school before 8:45 am. Children arriving late must get a late slip from the office.

School Doors Open

Registration & Classes

Recess/Lunch

Classes

Recess

Classes

Dismissal Warning Bell

1st Dismissal

2nd Dismissal

3rd Dismissal

8:20

8:49 – 11:25

11:25 – 12:20

12:20 – 2:05

2:05 – 2:25

2:25 – 3:25

3:25

3:28

3:33

3:35

Medical If a request is made to administer medication at school to students, the following shall be observed: The principal shall require a signed request from the par-ent authorizing the type of medication to be administered, required dosage and action to be taken in the event of possible hazards or side effects. A doctor’s statement verifying the medication will be requested of the parent.

Lost and Found Please clearly mark all belongings with your child’s name. If something is lost, have your child immediately look in the lost and found and around his or her classroom. Lost and found items are displayed for children and parents to see. Items not collected will be given to a local charity at the end of each school year.

Programs at Vera M. Welsh School

Kindergarten The goals of the kindergarten program are organized to provide each child, who is 5 years of age before March 1 with opportunities for physical, social, intellectual, lan-guage and creative development through a full-time play and language based program.

Early Intervention Early intervention programs are available for children who will be at least 3 years and 6 months old as of September 1, of the school year of enrollment and who have a mild, moderate or severe delay in areas such as speech and vocabulary or experience severe learning difficulties as a result of a hearing loss, poor vision or physical disabilities.

P.U.F. Program The P.U.F. Program serves children who will be at least 2 years and 6 months of age as of September 1, of the cur-rent school year, and have a delay in areas such as speech, behavior or experience severe learning difficulties as a result of a hearing loss, poor vision or physical disa-bilities.

Early Literacy Program The Early Literacy Program is used at our school to assist students in achieving the skills needed to be an independ-ent reader. This program provides individually designed lessons to help a student who is having reading difficulties to develop the kinds of strategies used by good beginning readers. The child receives instruction at school for ap-proximately thirty minutes each day. Materials/books are sent home each night for parents to work on with their child. Home Reading – Just Read Program Please listen to your child read for at least 15 minutes each night. Record titles in the reading log included in this agenda.

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Programs at Vera M. Welsh School Physical Education - Physical Daily Activity Students in grade 1-3 receive 4 classes of 30 minutes of physical education in a combined class. All Kindergarten stu-dents receive 3 30 minute PE classes per week. An additional 30 minutes instruction is provided by the classroom teacher, either outdoors or in the form of a daily physical education program. Lessons in aquatics are offered to all grade three students.

Music Program Music is a basic means of expression and communication. It helps in developing the whole child, emotionally, physically and intellectually. The music program is child centered, that is congruent with the stages of child development. It offers a broad spectrum of musical experiences: singing, playing instruments, listening, movement and performing in public. Students are evaluated on their effort, participation, and knowledge of basic musical concepts. Grades 1-3 students receive three 30 minute periods per week in a combined class. All Kindergarten students receive 2 30 minute music classes per week.

Program Information For additional information about programs at Vera M. Welsh School or if you have any questions or concerns, please con-tact: Mrs. Dana Robb Email: [email protected] Mrs. Rachelle Best Email: [email protected] Phone: 780 623 4672 Fax #: 780 623 2084 Website: www.veramwelshschool.ca

Playground Expectations Playground General Behavior: Use your words not your hands. We stay in the schoolyard. We do not climb over; go under/out of fences without per-mission. We do not talk to or leave with strangers. We show good sportsmanship. We take turns. We do not push, shove, fight or play-fight. We do not throw sand, snowballs, rocks or any hard or sharp objects. Playground Equipment: We do not play tag on the equipment. We do not walk on top of the monkey bars. We do not “chicken fight” on the bars. We cross monkey bars in the direction of the green dot on the post and swing to the red dot. We slide on bottoms – not swing on top bar above slide. Backstops: We do not stand or climb on top of the backstop. Soccer: We play with one (1) ball per game. We do not use body contact. The ball is played with feet only. The goalie is the only player who is allowed to use hands. Skipping Ropes: We use skipping ropes for skipping only. Steps: We must stay off entrance steps unless entering or exiting the school – use steps, do not go over railings. Students may sit on library or gym steps. Swings: We sit in the center; never stand or kneel. We stop to get off; do not jump off a moving swing. Push swings in the back only. Swing back and forth; do not swing sideways or twirl swings. Front Sidewalk: Students should not play in the area between the north/south entrances or on the front sidewalk in that area. Hill: Students should climb up to top from ends of hill and slide down center sections. Sliding on bottoms only – must wear ski-pants

Consequences for Inappropriate Playground Behavior:

Walk with supervisor. Time out along the school wall. Restriction from specific play area.

If administration intervention is required, student will be referred to the office and supervising staff will complete office referral.

mailto:[email protected]

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Recess Breaks Administration, on a daily basis, will make a decision, from the following three (3) options about where students are to spend their recess breaks. Temperature and wind chill factors from the Lac La Biche weather fore-cast on the Environment Canada website will be used as the determinants for these deci-sions. Option # 1 – In Day (Extremely Inclement Weather or –25 with wind chill factor) Students remain in the classrooms or designated rooms engaged in quiet activities. Option # 2 – Choice Day (Moderately Inclement Weather or –20 with wind chill factor) Students shall go outside and choose to return to their classrooms doing quiet activi-ties if they are cold. Option # 3 – Out Day (Nice Weather or anything warmer than –20 with wind chill factor) All students, with exception of those who are ill, are to go outside. Students who are ill will bring a note from home and will remain in-side classroom.

Safety Corner

We regularly practice both the fire alarm and safety alarm procedures from both inside and outside of the school. Let us all Walk Our Talk to model safety practices that our children need to get to and from school safe-ly. Supervisors wear numbered safety vests to be more visible to the students during all breaks in case their assistance is needed.

School Council/CAPS School Council: The purpose of the school council is to advise the school on matters as they pertain to school improvement, policies, organization and activities including the following:

Planning Developing and delivering programs Budgeting and Allocating Resources Communications and Community Relations

Membership: The Vera M. Welsh School Council will be composed of: Six (6) parents, elected by parents Three (3) school staff, elected by school staff One (1) principal (ex-officio) One (1) community member – elected by school council (when possi-

ble) School council meetings are usually held monthly. Parents are invited to school council meetings which are advertised in the school newsletters. CAPS—Create A Positive School Vera M. Welsh staff and students need you to help Create A Posi-tive School! The CAPS volunteers may be involved in the following kinds of activi-ties that contribute to a positive school climate for the students:

Just Read Special Events Student Activities Classroom/School Assistance Recycling Material/Clerical prep Reading Buddies Assisting students

Please contact your child’s teacher or the school if you would like to assist in any way. If you require additional information, please contact the school.

Student Advocacy Counsellor Our Student Advocacy Counsellor, Keith White, works with the principal, teachers and parents to ensure that each child is provided the best possible learning and social environment. The Student Advocacy Counsellor, along with other spe-cialists within the School Division, work to provide information about children and how they learn. With this information, the school is better able to adjust the child’s program. Through preventative programs offered to each grade level, the emphasis is placed on practical personal development skills for the student. The Student Advocacy Counsellor also talks with children who seem to be having difficulty adjusting to some aspect of their environment. This may involve meeting with parents, teachers, or other concerned individuals in an effort to help the child if you have any particular concerns regarding your child, please feel free to contact the school at 780-623-4672.

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Successful Families, Successful Kids Program

Wellness Coach: Ms. Bonnie Collins

The Successful Families, Successful Kids Program is there to help your family in and outside the school set-ting. This will be done in a safe and confidential setting. We offer the following: Referrals ~ Advocacy ~ Follow up & Support ~ Infor-mation & Education. Offer emotional support for students and their families dealing with a variety of barriers. Strive to create a sup-portive relationship with families helping them to be suc-cessful in their health and wellness needs. Offering tools to enhance your families mental, physical and emotional well being. Helping families develop practical solutions in an effort to prevent barriers from occurring. Through preventative support and focusing on family strengths, we strive to make your child’s school experience positive and healthy!!

Student Evaluation Evaluation and Reporting of Student Progress

Student progress is evaluated on an ongoing basis. Dependent upon the grade, the evaluation may be based on a combination of daily observations, assign-ments, projects, quizzes and unit tests. Tests may be used as diagnostic tools to identify difficulties, or to or-ganize a teaching unit. They are also used to determine if key concepts or skills have been mastered. Student progress is reported three times a year, two of which are formal teacher/parent conferences scheduled in November and March. Notes, telephone calls, visits and conferences throughout the year supplement the official report cards. In addition to individual student evaluation, the school may use standardized achievement tests to eval-uate its programs. Although the standardized tests used for this purpose use individual student test scores, their use lies more in providing a comparative data base for the entire school or specific programs.

Vera M. Welsh School Attendance Policy (In Accordance with NLSD Administrative Procedure 330)

Vera M. Welsh School values teaching and learning time for all students. Student attendance and student safety is a top priority. It is important that students arrive at school on time each day and remain in their classes until the dismissal bell. Student attendance is critical for participa-tion in special programs. The Alberta School Act and the Northern Lights School Division require attendance at school. Parents must call the school on the first day of the student’s absence.

The Vera M. Welsh School plan for increasing stu-dent attendance includes:

*Students arriving after 10:30 am will be considered ab-sent for the morning. * Students leaving after 2:00 pm will be considered ab-sent for the afternoon. * Careful monitoring of student absences or lates. * Systematic notification of parents. * Teacher and Administrative contact with home and student . * Attendance Board referral as needed. Process: Parents are requested to call in each time their child is absent. Unexcused Absences or Lates: Admin. Assistant and teachers monitor/track attendance. The following guidelines will be observed:

Admin. Assistant calls daily if parents have not

called.

Up to and including the November Reporting period

-More than 6 days unexcused absences, a letter to send home. Principal in consultation with teacher will determine whether it will be sent. Referral will be made to the school’s Student Services Team.

Up to and including the March Reporting period –

More than 14 days unexcused absences, a letter to send home. Wellness Worker schedules meeting with parents to develop plan of action to resolve attendance matter. Section 3.3.4 allows administra-tors to require counseling as indicated in the school’s pyramid of interventions and/or a recom-mendation for counseling at the community lev-el. Also addresses FOIP concerns.

20 days unexcused: a third letter to send home.

Refer matter to Superintendent, or designee. Meet-ing scheduled via registered mail within 10 days of referral. Agreement reached, if not immediate refer-ral to Provincial Attendance Board.

35 days unexcused: Superintendent refers to Pro-

vincial Attendance Board.


Student Placement Procedures Vera M. Welsh Elementary staff plans balanced classes based on: academic level, work skills, behaviour, special needs, and gender. The teachers and administration is in the best position to develop classroom lists that will cre-ate the best learning environment for each group of children. 1. Each June teachers meet and use criteria to develop balanced classes. 2. Teacher names are randomly attached to a class. 3. Administration reviews class lists and makes changes from their knowledge base. 4. The team reviews Special Needs groupings. 5. Parent informed of the class placement at Meet the Teacher on September 1, 2017. Requests Vera M. Welsh Elementary will not accept requests for specific teachers. Vera M. Welsh Elementary will accept requests from parents with two or more siblings in the same grade. Vera M. Welsh Elementary will accept requests for unique educational circumstances. Appeal Process Parent not satisfied with placement can call, set up a meeting with administration. If parents are still not satisfied, they can call Mr. Rick Cusson at 1-888-826-3145 and request a meeting.

Nutrition Policy

Rationale: This policy will help the Vera M. Welsh (VMW) community to create an environment which provides and promotes healthy food choices and healthy attitudes about food. We can work together, as students, teachers, parents, administration, and community members to increase the availability and appeal of healthier food choices, and to teach and model healthy eating behaviours. We understand a key component for maintaining healthy living is balance and moderation. The policy is meant to encourage lifelong healthy living skills through curriculum modeling, and changing the school culture around food offered at Vera M. Welsh. Nutrition policy links with values around personal develop-ment: The aim of the Health and Life Skills Kindergarten to Grade 9 Program of Studies is to enable students to make well-informed, healthy choices and to develop behaviours that contribute to the well-being of self and others. This policy is divided into Directives and Guidelines Directives

1. Food and beverages served and sold in school. 1.1 Schools will ensure that the majority (50%) of choices available are from food and beverages of

Choose Most Often School Category as developed by Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth (2008).

2. Clean Drinking Water

2.1 Schools will ensure that students and staff have access to clean drinking water during the day. 2.2 Teachers and administrators will encourage students to drink water (instead of beverages with a

high sugar content), especially during periods of hot weather or increased physical activity. This may be facilitated by allowing water bottles in the classroom.

3. Programming

3.1 Vera M. Welsh will support the Club Moo, Kids Are Worth It, and Alberta health programs like Fruit and Veggie Passport and Power to Play programs.

4. Pricing

4.1 To ensure that healthy food and beverage choices are accessible to the majority of students, Vera M. Welsh will make affordability the primary consideration when setting prices/profit margins.

5. Special Functions

5.1 Food and Beverages of Choose Most Often will be offered during Special Functions. However, Special Functions items may be included from the Choose Least Often category. Special Functions are events that may occur once or twice in a month and include special occasions and in-school celebrations like Halloween, Christmas bake sales, Principal’s Birthday Club, Valentine’s Day, Trop-ical day, Mother’s Day Tea and Multicultural Day.


6. Food as a Consequence

6.1 School staff and volunteers will not withhold food from students as a consequence, except in cases where a program planning team is using applied behavioral analysis to implement an individual program plan for a student.

7. Student Who May Be Vulnerable

7.1 Vera M Welsh will ensure that students and parents are aware of breakfast, lunch, and snack programs that are offered in our school. There will be information provided in newsletters, posters on walls, presen-tations to Parent Council, and displays set up during high parent times.

7.2 VMW must ensure that any food programs are made available to students in a non-stigmatizing manner. 7.3 VMW will work with parents to ensure that staff/volunteers are aware of food allergies and guidelines for

supporting children with food-related chronic diseases (Diabetes, celiac etc).

8. Food Safety 8.1 VMW is required to prepare and serve foods in accordance with food safety standards and training guide-

lines as outlined by Alberta Health. This may require the need for a Food Establishment Permit, food safe-ty training, and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems (WHMIS) in consultation with the Public health Inspector.

8.2 VMW will emphasize and promote cleanliness. Students eating at their desk will be encouraged to wipe down desk top.

8.3 VMW will ensure that students are aware of the importance of hand washing and will provide students will the opportunity to wash their hands before consuming meals.

Guidelines 9. Time To Eat

9.1 Enjoying meals with others is an important component of healthy eating. After eating, the brain needs approximately 20 minutes in order to register that the body is full. Research shows that students need about the same amount of time to consume a meal. Allowing students and staff a minimum of 20 minutes to eat lunch provides time for the brain to register the body is satisfied, provided a break in routine, and restores energy and enthusiasm for afternoon classes.

9.2 VMW will encourage eating as a social event during time to eat. Videos and books do not belong during eating time.

9.3 VWM will encourage that the morning snack time is a healthy choice. Students and parents are encour-aged to read labels. For example, if sugar is the first ingredient, then students will be encouraged to make a different choice from their lunch kit.

10. Environmental Consciousness

10.1 VMW will continue, as well as find new ways, to reduce consumer and food waste and to support recycling and composting options.

11. Role Models

11.1 VMW staff, administrators, volunteers and guests are encouraged to model healthy eating practices.

12. School Partnerships and Commitment 12.1 VMW will address food and nutritional issues through the Site Based Management Team (SBM Team).

They will continue to get input from the School Council. 12.2 Teachers should involve students and parents in the planning of school food menus for Special Events

like: boys bring food, the next class event the girls bring. This minimizes the excessive amount of food at classroom celebrations. This also applies to staff functions.

12.3 VMW will continue to promote parent awareness through newsletter articles, displays during parent eve-

nings that model healthy lunches or good snacks, share recipes, and promote activities like Fruit/Vegetable

of the Month.


Volunteers

Volunteers are always needed for reading with students, classroom/school or fundraising activities, recycling and for special events. Each volunteer is required to have an interview with Mrs. Robb or Mrs. Best before entering the classroom or attending any field trips. All visitors are asked to please sign in and out of the volunteer/visitor binders, in the front office. We encourage you to join your children on the playground during recess, but do sign in. Vera M. Welsh staff and students need you to help Create A Positive School!!!

Snack Shack Price List – 2017/2018

Snack shack profits are used towards items for students such as agendas, field trips etc.

Valuables/Toys/Personal Belongings

Students are not to bring valuables to the school as there are no private lockers for safe keeping of student articles.

Yogurt Tubes Granola Bars (peanut free) Nutri-Grain Bars Cheese and Crackers Wednesdays only: Ice Cream Sandwiches

1.00 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.25

Grandparent/Special Person Read


Vera M. Welsh Home Reading Log – Just Read! Please record daily! - Just Read Total will be counted on the last day of each week.

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25 50 Great Reading!



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675 700 You did it!******************

Vera M. Welsh School My name is ______

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